Saturday, December 26, 2020

Caring For Others

Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. Philippians 2:4

 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Philippians 2:4

I just found out that I have been exposed to COVID. It may not be the first time, but it's the first time I've been aware of an exposure. Last Wednesday, I had my hair done. My hairdresser is amazing and I've gone to her for years. I always leave my hair appointments feeling like a new person.

Safety Protocols In Place

With the pandemic, she's been very careful to follow CDC guidelines, always wearing a mask, disinfecting all surfaces between clients and scheduling clients so there is only one person in her work space at a time.

The closest thing to being cared for is to care for someone else. Carson McCullers
I was surprised, then, when I got a text from her today, saying she'd tested positive. I know she feels horrible that she has exposed others to the virus, but I don't think she could have been any more careful.

And she's been following safety procedures for herself as well. As a breast cancer survivor, she's at a higher risk and so she's been avoiding most enclosed places and large gatherings.

And that's the awful truth about this insidious virus. It can make its way in, even with the strictest adherence to safety protocol.  



Should I Be Worried That I Have COVID?

I'm thankful that she notified me as soon as she knew so I can be mindful of my behavior as well. The last thing I want to do is unknowingly spread it to someone else.

I am absolutely not worried about the possibility of contracting the virus. Not because I think it won't happen, but because I've taken all reasonable precautions. If I do end up with it, I'll look to God for healing. I think very few people are actually fearful of getting the virus and their resolve to wear masks and take other precautions is showing respect for others rather than fear for themselves.

Respect for Others

Love each other with genuine affection,[a] and take delight in honoring each other. Romans 12:10
As Christians, we should always be mindful of how are actions affect others. I'm not saying that we should roll over and let others do whatever they want (even though Jesus did tell us to turn the other cheek), but we should always be respectful.

Likewise, I feel that wearing a mask in public and limiting groups of people that I'm with to 10 or less is more a sign of respect for others than protection for myself. I would feel horrible if I unknowingly passed the virus on to someone else and so I have modified those little things to help protect them.

I mean, really, what other simple actions can show more love than that?

Without a sense of caring there can be no sense of community

Sense of Community

I am really tired of hearing "we're all in this together", but it's true. None of us live in a vacuum and our actions, no matter how big or small, affect others in some way.

It reminds me of an illustration that was used years ago in a training I attended. The trainer had a mobile - the kind that hangs over a baby's crib. She showed that, no matter how gently she pulled on one item hanging from the mobile, the other parts of the mobile moved as well.

And so it is with each of us. We are all part of a community, whether it be at work or church or our neighborhood or even just our family. Jesus wants us to care for the members of our community. Wearing a mask or isolating if exposed to the virus (as I will be for the next several days) is one way we can care for the members of our community.

I pray that you all stay safe from any harm and continue to grow in God's grace. 

As always, the graphics created by Dances in the Light are free to use by churches and non-profits.

Labels: Miscellaneous Quote, Philippians, Romans

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